Mares Proton vs Prestige

[Bleux]

Hey guys,

I am looking at getting a new regulator set in the next week(s). I am still a beginning diver, so I am not yet looking at "top of the line" until I really know how much diving I will be doing. I have narrowed it down to the Mares Prestige or Proton. I have read reviews, the Mares website, etc, but looking for any first hand opinions on either or both. There is not a huge cost difference, not enough to say, Oh well that one MUST be way better because it is so much more expensive. But, there is enough of a difference for me to consider getting the less expensive one. Any opinions would be great. Thanks in advance.

Lu

 

[SangP]

Why a mares when there are so many equally affordable yet better regs around?

SangP

 

[Bleux]

Why a mares when there are so many equally affordable yet better regs around?

SangP

Any suggestions would be welcome!!

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

Hey guys,

I am looking at getting a new regulator set in the next week(s). I am still a beginning diver, so I am not yet looking at "top of the line" until I really know how much diving I will be doing. I have narrowed it down to the Mares Prestige or Proton. I have read reviews, the Mares website, etc, but looking for any first hand opinions on either or both. There is not a huge cost difference, not enough to say, Oh well that one MUST be way better because it is so much more expensive. But, there is enough of a difference for me to consider getting the less expensive one. Any opinions would be great. Thanks in advance.

Lu

Which first stage with the Proton and the Prestige, the MR-12?

Will you be diving cold water, or temperate, or tropical?

I'm familiar with the Proton (own and service 3 sets of MR-12 / Protons), but not the Prestige 2nd stage.

There are many good regulators out there. What I think may be more important than the brand is the decision where you plan to buy them and have them serviced.

If you have a local dive shop that you like and trust, then I'd recommend choosing from among the regulators they sell. If you do not have a shop near you that you like, then your options are unlimited (as long as you are willing to mail your regulator away for service).

Back to Mares regulators: My preference is for the metal 2nd stages. The Mares plastic seconds stages are fine and breath well, but I prefer the metal 2nd stages (Proton Metal and the Abyss 2nd stages).

Mares has a different design philosophy than other contemporary brands, and especially it's 2nd stage designs are often looked down upon because they are simple, unbalanced, non-adjustable classic downstream designs.... But their performance at depth is very good. They do need a little more attention when being "tuned" at service time, simply meaning the tech needs to take an extra few minutes to tune them to get the excellent performance they are capable of, rather than "average" performance that they sometimes arrive from the factory with.

Have fun with whatever your decide! The good news is that you'd have to look very hard to find a "bad" regulator these days... all of the major brands are very good.

Best wishes.

 

[SangP]

1. Get something that your local shops can service easily.
2. Get something suitable for the type of dives you do.
3. Ask about for the prices and if the prices are too high try scubastore.com a try.

Personally I would go for a DS4/XTX50/XTX50 for a 1st reg as it is really affordable yet is totally reliable in lots of different diving conditions.

SangP

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

I would get the Proton, then you won't have to upgrade later. Most of the people I dive with have Mares Proton (or Abyss) Metal regs and we dive in water down to the low 30'sF. I have an Abyss main and a Proton metal for an alternate. I like the mares simple, non adjustable design. You don't have to worry about adjusting knobs and moving levers. Mares regs are top of the line regs.

 

[johnboywalton]

I agree with Lead Turn. I own a Mares Prestige 12 and find it suits my purposes just fine. To put that into perspective, I'm merely a recreational diver who goes out two to four times a month between April and November every year. If you take it for maintenance to the right shop, that Mares regulator will be a good workhorse.

 

[Fishpie]

Apart from the choice of metal or plastic and size there's really not allot of difference between any of the Mares 2nd stages made in the last 30 years.

 

[outlawaggie]

I have a Proton Metal and my wife has the regular Proton. I've been diving it for four years now from Texas to the Caribbean to the Maldives at depths from 10' to 115'. Both regs breathe great in all situations. I've never had a problem at all with them. In fact I just bought an Proton Ice with a V32 1st stage. I don't really need the ice part but it was on sale 70% off so why not.

 

[scubadiver888]

LeadTurn_SD nailed it. Most regulators are gonig to be fine for recreational diving. Some breath a little better than others. Some breath a little better upside down, sideways, etc.

How well the regulator is serviced will make a huge difference. You could buy THE best regulator but if the shop you have service it doesn't know how to service that brand, it will be no better and possible worse than a bottom of the line regulator.

Metal regulators are better for cold water. They reduce the chance of free flow. Additionally, I know tech divers who use the Mares Abyss to 65 metres without trouble.

Personally, I'd go for the Proton rather than the Prestige. It is metal and I have a local service shop who I trust to tune it perfectly.

You might also ask who ever will service it how much the parts and labour cost.